A special community forum Tuesday evening helped to spark conversations on cognitive disorders.
Representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America chapter presented the forum at First United Methodist Church. The forum is a relatively new initiative the Heart of America Chapter is beginning in order to connect with Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers throughout the 66 counties they serve between Kansas and Missouri.
Heart of America Chapter Director of Communications Juliette Bradley says community engagement is vital as many individuals are unaware of available resources and even the existence of the Alzheimer’s association itself.
The forum began with a brief presentation before representatives paired off with local residents to hold table conversations on multiple questions. These included where do individuals see gaps in the public’s knowledge of cognitive disease, what are some barriers they notice to local engagement and what suggestions residents have to help with community support from the Alzheimer’s Association.
While having the opportunity to be heard, those in attendance were also able to hear exactly what resources and assistance are available through the association. Bradley says providing this spark for conversation is great because topics such as cognitive disorders are not commonly discussed by families until it is too late.
She adds, one cause of the lack of discussion may be the fact that diseases such as Alzheimer’s are incurable and many do not want to acknowledge the fact it may claim themselves or a loved one.
Bradley also says a common reason for the lack of conversation is because most individuals do not know what to look for in terms of warning signs. She highly encourages individuals to go online to their website www.alz.org/Kansascity and view their 10 warning signs for dementia.
If you were unable to attend the forum and would like more information there are three physical offices for the Heart of America Chapter. These include locations in Prairie Village, Topeka, Parsons and St. Joseph, MO.
Locations, contact information and hours of operation for each location are below.
Main Office
3846 W. 75th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Education Center: 3856 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Northwest Missouri Regional Office
927 Faraon, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Phone: 816.364.4467
FAX: 816.364.2553
Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Northeast Kansas Regional Office
3625 SW 29th Street, Suite #102, Topeka, KS 66614
Phone: 785.271.1844
FAX: 785.271.1804
Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Southeast Kansas Regional Office
601 Gabriel, Parsons, KS 67357
Phone: 620.421.6550, ext. 1794
Hours vary.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon
{gallery}ALZ Community Forum{/gallery}
